How To Get Your Pet To Strike The Pose..

If you have ever tried to take a picture of your dog, you will realize how hard it is to capture the pups full personality and beauty in a photograph. Dogs aren’t human, and they don’t understand what we are doing when we try to take their photo. They may think that the camera is a toy and charge at you, instead of striking a pose. If you follow these tips, and take your cues from your pet, you can be assured of great photos of your pet. http://pet-services.eoltt.com

Pets come in all colors. If your dog is dark, you will need to make sure that he doesn’t get lost in your photo due to a dark background. Dark animals photograph best with light colored or neutral back grounds. You can use white, grey, or creamy beige backdrops. You should never take a photo of a Black Lab, or a German Shepherd, against a dark background. It conceals the true color of your dog, and the dark background can also conceal the true size, shape and proportions of your pet.

The same rules apply with pets that have light coats. If you have an apricot or white puppy, you would not place her in front of a white wall for a picture. Photographs of animals need to capture the color and texture of their coats. If you have a white toy poodle, you would want to place her on, or in front of, a black, blue or brown backdrop. This will assure that the poodle’s springy white curls are the focus of the picture. It is important that you choose a background that compliments your dog, and doesn’t hide its beauty.

The hardest thing to do is to get your pet to sit still for a photo. The best time to arrange a photo session with your pet is when they are tired, or sleepy. One trick is to lay the correct color of sheet or blanket over your couch or chair. Allow your pet to lie there after he has had a good half hour of vigorous play. Once your dog appears to start dozing off, get its attention by a low whistle, a squeak from a squeaky toy, or the sight of a treat.




The animal will perk up immediately and appear to be wide awake. It is important that you are ready to snap the shots immediately. For a larger dog you can drape its bed with the correct color of sheet or blanket. It is also best to take your pet’s picture when they are well fed. That way they are not distracted by wanting food while they are modeling for you. The treats you hold up will be more a curiosity item to them, instead of a hopeful dinner.

In professional animal pictures, usually the full body of the animal is shown. This allows the viewer to get a general idea of the size and proportions of the animal. It also will allow the viewer to get an idea of the animal’s general health and appearance. You wouldn’t want to have just a head shot of your pet if it had unique colorings that made it cute. Some animals appear to be wearing little white socks on their paws, or the ends of their tails may appear to have been dipped in a paint bucket.

Be sure that your picture captures all of the unique things about your entire dog. However, if your dog just has an irresistible face, you can take head shots. Some pets will appear to smile when they are very happy. Nothing says “love me” like an innocent puppy face. You need to be conscious of the background. Even if the color is right, if it’s cluttered it will be distracting and take away from the pet. It is also important to make sure that your pet is in the center of the shot, and that it is not cropped off just before the tip of the ears, or tail.

When you are taking photos of your pets, it is important that you are at least at the animal’s eye level, or below. This gives the picture the sense of being from the dog’s viewpoint. You can accomplish this by elevating your dog to a higher position, like the stair case, or furniture. Or, you can lay on your stomach to achieve the same results. You need to zoom in as close as possible, while still capturing the entire body of your dog. You can edit out any red eye, later.

It is best to use a digital camera when you are photographing animals. With digital cameras you are not out any extra money for the photos that didn’t take because Spot looked away. With a digital camera you are free to take as many pictures of your animal as you like, so snap away. You can choose the best ones later, and delete the rest. You have more freedom with a digital camera. You are not constrained to just a set number of pictures, and you do not have to sit and wonder if they worked while they are getting developed.

If you plan to take pictures of your pet outside, it is best to do this early in the morning, or late in the evening. The natural lighting is better for photographs during these periods of the day. You still need to keep in mind the color choices of your background. You can take a picture of your black puppy sitting on a white patio, or in front of your home if you have light colored siding, or brick. You can take a picture of your white dog in a flower bed that has black mulch, or sitting in front of a dark brick wall. Most animals can obey the command of sitting. Some animals will even sit if they have a leash on, even if it is not being held. Outdoor, natural lighting works the best when you want to show the texture of your animal’s coat.

The expression of your dog is one of the most important things you need to keep in mind when you are photographing your animal. If your animal is ill, or having a bad day, you may want to reschedule your photo session to a later time. A wet and moist looking nose is a must in all pet photos. If your pet is feeling unwell, they probably aren’t up for their photo being taken. If your breed of pet should have perky ears, and they are lying down because the pet is not as cheery as usual, you should postpone your picture taking, as well. You should never take a picture of your pet if they have runny eyes due to an infection. Wait until your pet is doctored and feeling more like their cheery, upbeat self.

You can take action shots of your pet. Does your pet like to catch a Frisbee or herd sheep? To capture your pet in action you must learn what photographers term “panning.” The key to panning is to follow along with your pet as they are moving. You need to click away capturing them throughout their activity. You can choose a film that is made for action shots to get good results.

You know your pet and what excites them. Does your pet like to stand on two feet and beg for a certain toy, or treat? If so, then get someone to assist you during this photo. They can interact with the dog while you snap the pictures. These shots are great ways of showing the personality of your dog. Does your dog like to tilt its head when it hears a certain noise? Then be ready to capture their photo while your assistant provides the noise. Does your dog like to hide in the shrubs, or get playful with a ball? You can also capture these types of photos if you are tuned in and ready with your camera.

Photographs are a great way of preserving the beauty and personality of an animal. Just keep in mind back ground color, and try to photograph your pet for still shots when they are well fed and somewhat sleepy. If you photograph outside, try to arrange your photo time in the morning or late evening hours,

and don’t take their pictures directly facing the sun. Make sure your pet is feeling physically well so that their personality can be captured, and if you use a digital camera you won’t have to worry about wasting film. If you take action shots, practice the panning technique. If your pet performs tricks, enlist the aid of a helper and photograph your animal performing. Photographs will be around forever, and if you do them correctly they can reveal a lot about your pet. Take your cues from your animal and you will have wonderful photographs every time.

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://myspace.com/biggso

Knowing The Right Time To Adopt A New Pet

How can you choose? What is the best way to involve the children? Most importantly, how can you choose the right animal for your stage in life? This article answers these questions and many more. You will discover how to make a wise decision about a new pet based on sound information, evalluating their personal circumstances, and understanding their family's needs. http://pet-sitters.eoltt.com

Adopting any pet is a big step, and it needs to be a family decision that is made carefully and thoughtfully. Animal control agencies and pet shelters are filled to the brim with pets that were purchased and found to be unsuitable for the family in some way. These unwanted animals are the lucky ones, if you want to use that term. At least they are cared for in minimal ways during their stay, fed and warm and if they are euthanized, it is done quickly and painlessly.

Our country road sees numerous unwanted animals that are dropped here by strangers who are convinced that some kind country family will take them in. These are the animals that wander sick, injured and frightened from yard to yard. They are often chased off by home owners or other animals. Most end up dying horrible deaths from being hit by a car or starving. And why does this happen? There are two main reasons for unwanted animals and both are easily mended. Families who take on a pet without a commitment to care for it for life are one part of the problem. The other issue is pets who are allowed to breed and produce unwanted litters. http://vet-secrets-revealed.eoltt.com

When is the right time to add a pet to your family? Your children can undoubtedly give you lots of reasons to say now and they will be only too happy to tell you about friends who are blessed with the privilege. Some of their reasons may even make sense. Ultimately, however, you as parents must make the final decision. when is your child ready for a pet? How does a parent decide?

How can a family avoid getting a pet that will later become a statistic? Choose the right pet for your family for the right reasons. Thoroughly research the breed of animal you are considering. Learn about its life span, its care, and its personality. Choose an animal that you are willing and able to care for properly. Adopting a pet is a big step, and it needs to be a family decision. Whether you choose a dog or cat, hamster or goldfish, your family is taking responsibility for the creature’s welfare.


The decision involves more than evaluating your child’s sense of responsibility. Even the most responsible child in the world will need adult help with the ongoing financial commitment and with aspects such as providing veterinary care. There will also be times when your child is gone or too busy to care for the animal. Yes, having a pet is a wonderful opportunity to help your youngster learn about responsible behavior, but parents need to be prepared to back up their efforts in that direction, with reminders and firmer discipline if necessary.

Once you’ve made the decision to add a pet, you can judge your child’s readiness in several ways. For the very young, parents may wish to consider whether the child has learned to be gentle with other creatures and to follow your directions, as in Don’t pull the doggie’s ear. Is the child old enough to enjoy the pet rather than fear it? This varies dramatically from child to child and pet to pet. A cute puppy who will grow into a large and rambunctious dog may not be the best choice for your toddler.

On the other hand, a large-breed dog that is already grown to maturity may be calm around your baby. If your goal is to choose the best pet for your child to love and nurture, a young animal given to a child who is ready to interact with it, handle it, and train it on a daily basis would be ideal. There’s something about pet ownership that can bring out numerous positive traits in people. A small pet may be the best choice if you are trying to use the situation as a lesson in responsibility.

The meals and amount of water needed for a cat or guinea pig are dramatically less than for a retriever, and a younger child could become independent at the task more quickly. Finally, if you choose to have a pet for your child, you may wish to help youngster and animal become part of classes or groups that offer training to both pet and owner. Many communities offer dog obedience classes, for example, and Four-H clubs around the country also offer very positive programs. http://dog-obedience-training-zone.eoltt.com

If it is made thoughtfully and at the right time, the decision to add a pet to the family can multiply your happiness and help your child feel the satisfaction of a job well-done. A pet can fulfill many needs in family members confidante, playmate, companion. Your child can learn and practice lessons in responsibility, compassion, persistence, and patience. However, parents need to remember that the ultimate responsibility for the pet will be theirs and that the animal is one of God’s creatures that deserves care and respect. Get a pet you and your children can enjoy and care for properly and it will add a lot of pleasure to your lives.

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://myspace.com/biggso

Include Vitamin Supplements In Your Homemade Dog Treats

http://myspace.com/biggso

Homemade dog treat recipes give you the ability to include vitamin supplements in your dog’s diet. Like people dogs occasionally need supplements in their diet but getting them to take pills can be a hassle.

Many dog owners resort to wrapping the supplement in a more desirable treat but some dogs are simply too smart to be fooled by this trick. There are also pill pockets available for the purpose of hiding the treat and although they are effective, they can also be expensive. One solution to the problem of feeding your dog supplements is to include them in your homemade dog treat recipes. http://pet-services.eoltt.com

Glucosamine is a popular supplement that promotes joint health in dogs. Although this supplement is readily available in commercial prepared dog foods and treats, incorporating the supplement in your own homemade dog treat recipes can be a more economical way to include these supplements in your dog’s diet.

You can use the glucosamine tablets available for human consumption but many dogs will be reluctant to consume this bulky pill. You could, however, grind up one appropriate amount of glucosamine for each serving that your homemade dog treat recipes yields and incorporate the ground up supplement into the treats. This will make the supplement much more palatable for your dog. http://dog-food-secrets.eoltt.com


Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://myspace.com/biggso

Arthritis Pain Relief For Dogs – Simple Home Remedies.

Did you know that arthritis affects one in five dogs over the age of seven? It is a painful condition that affects the joints and can occur in your pet’s neck, hips, shoulders, elbows and back. However, there are many simple solutions that you can provide at home that will relieve the aches and pains in your dog’s joints.

Change Your Dog’s Diet

Easy enough and it worked for my dog. Be sure you are providing a high-quality dog food with no added preservatives, food colorings, wheat, corn or soy products. It would be preferable to get a dog food that is low fat AND has low carbohydrates, but unfortunately there is no such thing as a low-carb dog food.

Just be aware that grains (which make up a large component of dry dog food) tend to increase inflammation and aggravate arthritis. A better alternative would be to switch to home-prepared meals with either cooked or raw meats and vegetables. http://dog-food-secrets.eoltt.com

However, if you don’t want to prepare meals for your pet, then cut back on the dry food and start adding a cup of fresh veggie “salad” every day. Celery is excellent for the joints. I often chop up lettuce, celery, cucumber, some carrot, and any other fresh vegetables I have on hand. Just make sure to cut all vegetables into very small pieces for easy digestion (a food processor is perfect for this) and don’t use onions or mushrooms as they may be toxic to your dog. http://homemade-dog-treat-recipe.eoltt.com

Provide Supplements That Reduce Arthritic Swelling and Pain

Give your dog a glucosamine tablet. Glucosamine helps the body manufacture glycosaminoglycans, which is designed to maintain cartilage structure. The recommended dosage is ¼ mg of a 500mg tablet per 10 pounds of body weight once a day. Preferably use a glucosamine tablet that also contains Chondroitin Sulfate. This supplement helps to attract water into the cartilage for added nutrition and lubrication. It also seems to inhibit excessive cartilage destroying enzymes.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring organic dietary sulphur that has been shown in studies to relieve arthritic pain, slow joint deterioration and reduce inflammation with no negative side effects.

Dogs don’t usually get enough Omega 3 fatty acids in their diets. Omega 3 helps to regulate pressure in the joints, among many other things. A good source for this is fish oil capsules. Additional vitamin E will also be needed since adding more oil to the body increases the need for this vitamin.

Reduce Excess Weight

Extra weight on a dog puts extra pressure on the joints and causes more pain and swelling. Begin by reducing the amount of treats given, cut back a bit on food, and provide a lower fat diet for your dog. Exercising is also important. If possible, take your dog out for several shorter 10 to 15 minute walks each day rather than going for one long walk. Another great strategy is to take your dog swimming. They’ll get the exercise without stressing the joints. A bathtub works well for very small dogs. However, if your dog is a landlubber and hates water don’t push the issue. http://vet-secrets-revealed.eoltt.com

Keep Your Dog Warm and Cozy on Cold, Damp Days

Set up a soft bed or some layers of fleece in the area where your dog normally sleeps. If your dog usually stays outside, then provide an insulated dog house with soft bedding on the floor. Be sure the doorway is somewhat sheltered and facing away from the wind. Better yet, bring them inside when it’s cold and/or wet.

Apply Moist Heat

Apply a hot water bottle with warm water or use a towel soaked in warm water that’s been wrung out to your dog’s aching joints. Moist heat penetrates deeply and provides welcomed relief. Do not use a heating pad as it may get too hot for the dog and burn them especially if your dog has limited mobility - they may not be able to get up and move away from a pad that is too hot.

Raise Your Dog’s Food And Water Dish

If your pet has arthritis in their neck or shoulders, consider raising their food and water bowls so they don’t have to bend their head down to eat.

Give Your Pet A Massage

Don’t we all love to have sore muscles rubbed? Gently rub around the affected joint and massage the surrounding muscles. This gentle kneading and the heat from your hands should ease some of the pain.

Use A Ramp For The Stairs

If your dog has a hard time going up and down stairs, think about buying or making a ramp that can be laid over the stairs so your dog can more easily maneuver them. This is especially useful for when they need to go outside to “do their thing” or are required to jump into a truck for a trip to the vet.

Additional alternatives include herbal and homeopathic products, acupressure, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. Safer and often just as effective, these are just some of the things that you can do at home for your dog to give them relief from arthritic pain.

Click Here For Over 1000 Natural Solutions To Heal Your Pet At Home! Natural remedies -

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information About Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Food, Dog Health, Dog Health Care, Dog Grooming, Dog Treat, Potty Training, Puppy Training, Pet Health, Pet Grooming, Crate Training, Crate Training Puppy And Dog Care.. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://myspace.com/biggso

Finding The Perfect Leash And Collar For Your Dog.

Copyright © Obinna Heche
http://pet-services.eoltt.com

In the past, when people spoke of training collars, they really generally were referring to choke chains. A choke chain is a metal chain with a sliding ring that is attached to your dog’s nylon or leather leash.

There’s a reason it’s called a choke chain. Because there is no limit on how tight the training collar can pull against your dog’s neck, there exists a very real possibility it can choke him, as well as cause other injuries, such as:

Severely sprained necks

Tracheal and esophageal damage

Injured ocular vessels

Cases of fainting

Transient foreleg paralysis

Laryngeal nerve paralysis

Hind leg ataxia

And if you think I’m kidding about any of these injuries, I’m not. They’re all well-documented cases taken from hundreds of veterinary practices who have treated the dogs injured by choke chains.

Bottom line? In the hands of an experienced trainer, a choke chain can be used appropriately, but for the most part, your average person has no idea what an appropriate use of a choke chain entails.

My own personal preference is for a flat buckle collar, either nylon or leather, which can be used for training and everyday use. It should fit snugly, but leave room enough for you to slide two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck. Any looser than that, and it may slide off over your dog’s head. Any tighter and it may cause chafing and discomfort.

The choice of nylon or leather is simply a matter of personal preference – nylon comes in a variety of bright colors, and is a good choice for dogs that spend a lot of time in the water (or mud!) Leather is durable and will absorb oils from your dog’s coat, making it more flexible over time.

The width of the collar should be appropriate to your dog’s size. For example, a wide, heavy or thick collar just won’t work on a Chihuahua, in fact, it would look ridiculous. By the same token, if you have a Rottweiler, a diamond- or rhine-stone-studded poodle collar is going to look pretty silly. And don’t forget an identification tag – if your dog is lost or stolen, this is a quick way for authorities to notify you when your pet is located.

Another terrific solution is a harness – a device that goes around the neck and ribcage, thus eliminating the possibility of choking. Harnesses are an excellent resolution to the problem of having a large dog that hasn’t been well-trained and pulls or lunges when out for a walk. It’s a great way to restrain the pulling without getting in that choking “tug of war” that you sometimes see. Harnesses are also good for small dogs, which can have serious problems with collars pressing on their small and fragile airways.

Now for the proper leash. As with collars, you have a choice of flat nylon or leather (or braided leather is also available), and as with collars, it’s largely a matter of personal preference.

I use a 6 foot nylon leash for training my dog. I find it’s the perfect length for walking, heeling and virtually all of my training sessions.

Many dog owners prefer a retractable leash. These are nylon leashes that are encased in a plastic casing, and vary in length up to about 25 feet or so. The best models of this type have a one-button “braking” system that stops your dog from going beyond a set distance, as well as a spring mechanism that allows you to adjust just how far you want to extend the lead.

Retractable leashes are a good idea if you walk your dog in a variety of settings: you can “reel” him in if you’re on city sidewalks or in situations where there are a lot of people or other dogs around, then you can expand the distance between you when you get to the park or an open space.

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://pet-services.eoltt.com

Nutritional Needs For Different Dog-Types

Copyright © Obinna Heche
http://myspace.com/biggso

While the first dogs were undoubtedly kept as companions, it probably did not take long to realize the working value of this newly-made friend. Even before the history of dogs was recorded, these pets were helping man for a variety of purposes, mainly to hunt for food. In those days, however, hunting was not a sport, but serious hard work. http://pet-services.eoltt.com

Today the dog still helps man in his quest for food, but the nature of the job has taken on a different form. The dog still helps man to hunt, but for a different reason. Whatever the purpose or nature of the job, the performance of work always requires time expenditure of energy. As a consequence, every working dog's primary dietary need is increased energy. Whenever dietary energy is increased, those B-complex vitamins, minerals, and the water necessary for burning the energy must also be increased.

Except for this increased need for energy and the nutrients to burn it, working dogs require most nutrients at no greater levels than non-working dogs. When working dogs eat large quantities of ordinary maintenance dog foods to obtain all of the energy they need, they frequently consume some of the nutrients in excessive amounts. Paradoxically, they may also eat such large quantities that the digestibility of all the nutrients in their diet are adversely affected and some nutrients may actually be obtained in inadequate amounts. http://dog-food-secrets.eoltt.com

In other cases, a working dog simply cannot, physically, eat all of a food needed to supply its energy needs. In these instances the dog suffers from the lack of total digestible energy, and loses weight. If the condition is allowed to continue, the dog will reduce its activities in order to reduce its caloric demands. If the dog is forced to continue working at the same pace, it will lose weight faster and laster, and eventually work itself to death. http://vet-secrets-revealed.eoltt.com

Herd Dogs are the most common working dogs that are fed in the United States. Herd Dogs are dogs that wattle or protect animals use the least amount of extra energy of any of the working dogs. They seldom are required to expend energy in excess of normal activity for any duration of time. Even their short-term expenditures of energy are not very great. The only time herd dogs ever utilize large amounts of energy are when they are rounding up strays, lost or semi-wild animals running at large.

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://myspace.com/biggso

Homemade Dog Treat Recipes Gives You Flexibility

Copyright © Obinna Heche
http://myspace.com/biggso

Using homemade dog treat recipes gives you unlimited flexibility in the quality and variety of dog treats that you provide to your dogs. Chicken, beef, lamb and rice are some of the more popular flavors of commercially prepared dog treats and foods but when you use your own homemade dog treat recipes your flavor combinations are limitless. You can use peanut butter and honey to create sweet treats that do not include meat or you can substitute any meat you choose into your homemade dog treat recipes.


Many traditional homemade dog treat recipes included meats such as chicken, beef and lamb but when you create your own homemade dog treats you have the option of substituting other meats into the recipe as long as the meats are safe for your dog. Homemade dog treats are already usually more cost effective than commercially prepared dog treats but the flexibility of these recipes provides you with additional cost savings. You have the option of shopping for meats that are on sale or that have reduced prices when you are following a homemade dog treat recipe. You also have the option of reducing or increasing the meat content to suit your dog’s tastes and needs. http://dog-food-secrets.eoltt.com

Another advantage of homemade dog treat recipes is that they can be tailored to suit your dog’s nutritional needs. Recipes that call for peanut butter can utilize reduced fat peanut butter if the treats are being prepared for an overweight dog. You can also eliminate any ingredients to which your dog has a known allergy. The flexibility available in homemade dog treat recipes makes it possible to create a treat that is right for every dogs.

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://myspace.com/biggso

Separation Anxiety In Dogs..

http://myspace.com/biggso

What Actually Is Separation Anxiety?

When you leave the house, it is nice to know that your dog goes to his favorite spot and sleeps peacefully until you return. However dogs suffering from separation anxiety are not so lucky. Separation anxiety can appear in dogs that have not been properly socialized, dogs that have been moved from one home to another and dogs that are naturally nervous.

Your dog is a social, pack animal who relies on the others- you for individual protection and security. Dogs that lack confidence, due to socialization issues, understanding of expected behavior, or possible maltreatment in the past (adopted dogs), are more likely to exhibit behaviors related to separation anxiety

Essentially, when you leave to go to work, or even just to the corner store for five minutes, your dog becomes upset, stressed and confused. Dogs with separation anxiety can do everything from whining and barking, to ripping apart your couch and eating your duck feathered pillow.

How do I know if my dog has Separation Anxiety?

There is much debate over the cause of separation anxiety. some believe it is a lack of confidence that causes the dog to rely to much on their humans. In this case, you have to teach your dog to accept the fact that you are leaving, and it's going to be ok.

If you have a dog with separation anxiety, you will know. Dogs will usually exhibit a combination of the following:

The behavior often occurs when the dog is left alone.

The dog makes a A big deal when his owner leaves, or comes home.

When left alone the dog will exhibit behavior which is not

common to his normal behavior.

The dog may not eat if the owner is not in the room

The dog will follow his owner around constantly

What ever the cause is, here are some techniques for solving the

problem.

Make your Departure and Arrival Routine:

Make your dog realize that your departures and arrivals are nothing to get excited over. Usually the dog feels the greatest amount of anxiety shortly after you leave. Therefore you need to practice with your dog the routine of coming and going.

Lots of Exercise:

Exercise is believed to relieve stress in both humans and dogs alike. A long walk, run, or play session prior to leaving can go a long way in helping to reduce the stress and anxiety of your dog.

Give Your Dog Something To Do While You Are Gone:

If your dog has something entertaining to do while you are away, he will be less likely to become stressed and anxious. A stuffed Kong filled with a tasty treat is an excellent example.

Confine Your Dog While You Are Away:

Some dogs are more comfortable being confined to their own den. A crate is an ideal space for your dog. A dog who is properly crate trained is less susceptible to get in to trouble while you are gone. If a crate is not an option, confine him to one room or limit access to the whole house.

Introduce Another Dog:

If your dog has another companion to keep him company while you're gone, it may help alleviate the boredom and tension caused while you are away. Of course this is only “one” option. There are many other factors to take into consideration before adding another dog to your home.

Set Aside Time For The Dog:

Make time during your day to give undivided attention to your dog. This time can be spent playing, teaching, or even just taking a nap together. If possible, try to make this one-on-one time prior to departures.

Leave the Radio or TV On:

Leave a radio on in a separate room. The dog will hear the voice and will feel less alone. Some people even leave voice recordings of themselves in hopes to calm the dog. Depending on the severity of anxiety, you may need to contact a behavior specialist through your vet.
Click Here For Over 1000 Natural Solutions To Heal Your Pet At Home! Natural remedies - So You Can Treat Your Pet At Home

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming, Pet Sitting and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://myspace.com/biggso

Bloat And Flatulence In Senior Dogs

http://myspace.com/biggso

Let's face it...It's not a pretty subject. But dog flatulence or doggie gas can be an important indicator of serious problems for a senior dog. Some breeds are more prone to this room-clearing disorder than others. Understanding that bloat could be a serious problem rather than just an odorous annoyance is essential.

Not every gas episode is the sign of a disorder. Most dogs do have gas from time to time. Some foods are not tolerated well by the canine digestive system such as dairy products, table scraps and spoiled meat. Often a dog that "wolfs" down his dinner has more flatulence trouble because he has swallowed too much air while eating. Drinking large quantities of water at one time will have a similar affect. Also dogs with a high-strung temperament can have trouble if they are prone to hyperventilate.

Some breeds are more gassy than others. Large breed, deep-chested dogs such as hounds, Dobermans, retrievers, Shepards and St. Bernards are more likely to experience episodic gas and bloat.

If you have a senior dog, it is more susceptible to flatulence. Because his intestines progressively lose muscle tone it becomes a more common occurrence than when you’re pet was younger. If it continues it could become a more serious form of bloat where the stomach becomes abnormally enlarged and start to twist. This is a very painful condition for a dog and can cause death.

Prevention of bloat for the senior dog:

Feed small meals 2-3 times a day.

Don't let your dog drink too much water too quickly.

Mild exercise or walking after meals is good but extreme activity, excitement and stress should be avoid 1 hour before and 2 hours after eating. Dogs should not roll over after eating.

Avoid feeding foods that are known to cause gas such as peas, onions, beans, dairy and soy.

Consult veterinarian regarding adding yogurt with live cultures to improve digestion or charcoal to your dog’s diet.

Although many older dogs do benefit from having an elevated feeding dish, if your dog is prone to bloat and gas, you may want to consider an alternative. While a raised dish allows more comfort to the neck and back, it has been associated with causing bloat in certain breeds. Discuss this further with your veterinarian if you have concerns as to which type of dish is best for your dog.

Keep older dogs calm. Hyperventilating causes extreme intakes of air. Talk with your veterinarian about giving your dog simethecone (an over-the-counter gas remedy) during stressful situations.

Click Here For Over 1000 Natural Solutions To Heal Your Pet At Home! Natural remedies - So You Can Treat Your Pet At Home Without A Veterinarian!

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://myspace.com/biggso

Introduction Of A New Pet To Other Household Pets..

http://pet-services.eoltt.com

When you first bring home a new pet, expect a period of transition and adjustment for the other pets in the household. You may find that some pets hide from the new addition, whereas others might try to push it around. Sometimes the original pets will start behaviors designed to get your attention including barking, pawing, stealing items, or pushing the addition out of the way and jumping on you.



All of these can be normal and are not worrisome if they change within a week or two. If the animals in the household do not revert to normal behavior within a short time or if they become aggressive, a problem exists that will not go away on its own. The sooner you seek help from a qualified specialist, the better.

Before introducing any new pet, make sure it is healthy, has up-to-date vaccinations, and that test results for fecal parasites are negative. It is particularly important that all new cats are check for their viral titer (feline immunodeficiency virus [FIV], feline leukemia virus [FeLV]) status. Cats with positive results should not be brought into a negative household.

You can make the transition easier for new pets by using gradual introductions. The new pet should be kept separate from the other pets whenever they are not closely supervised. This advice may be extreme, but it is designed to ensure that no injuries occur and that the social situation of the original pets is not suddenly fragmented. The original pet(s) should have access to the same areas of the house as previously. If the dog was crated, the crate can still be used. If access was restricted to the first floor, this pattern should continue.

The new pet should be placed in a neutral area (den, finished basement, brightly lit bathroom) with toys, a blanket, water, a litter box if the new pet is a cat, and anything else it might need.

It is important that the new pet not be placed in an area that is considered highly desirable by the other pets. Areas of high value usually include places where the people spend a lot of time with the pets (bedrooms) or where the pets choose to stay when they are alone (around food dishes or on window sills that are good perch sites).

If your dog is always crated, you can accustom the dog quickly to a new dog by crating the new dog across the room where it can be seen by the original one. As the dogs become more accustomed to each other, their crates can be moved gradually closer together until they are side by side.

Be sure that the area in which you are confining the new pet is pet-proof. This means toilet seats should be down, electric cords should be tied up and put away, sockets should be protected with child guards, and any valuable or fragile items should be moved. New pets will explore, and that exploration should not endanger them. If the new pet is a very young puppy or kitten, you may wish to crate it for its protection. Crates do not afford total protection from willful and determined claws and teeth of an uncrated animal, but they do greatly minimize the risk of damage.

Whenever any animal is isolated for any reason it is critical that the animal receive a lot of social attention whenever possible. This is especially true for new pets. When you come home greet the original pets (make all the dogs sit first) and let them out, if this is your normal routine. Do not rush - when people are stressed and rush they may either facilitate undesirable reactions between the pets or not be as attentive to cues about impending problems as they otherwise would. Introduce the new pet gradually.

First, spend some time alone with the new pet. Then bring the new pet outside on a leash or harness and let the other pets explore him or her. If you anticipate problems, the other animals also can be on leashes or harnesses. If you have too many animals to adequately monitor under these circumstances, the new pet can be placed in a crate or cage in the center of a room and the other pets can explore the caged pet.

The best time to perform gradual introductions is when the animals are calm. Start by petting the original pets and telling them that it is "okay" only if it is truly okay; do not reward hissing, growling, and biting. When you tell a pet it is "okay" when it is upset, you are not calming the animal - you are rewarding inappropriate behavior. If the animals in the household are calm and either ignore each other or act friendly despite the new addition, you can feed them within sight of the new pet. This distance should be close enough that they can easily see and watch each other, but not so close that they become upset. Once you find this distance you can move their food dishes closer together by an inch a day until they are side by side. If you ever have an aggressive encounter, back off from that distance and return to the last distance where neither pet reacted. Leave the dishes there for a few days and then gradually start to move them again.

Feeding and petting the animals in each other's presence teaches them that good things happen when they are together and calm. For this to be successful, neither side can react violently. If a pet does react this way, banish that animal to a neutral zone immediately and try again when it is calm. If it again reacts violently, banish the pet for the rest of the day or evening and try later in the day or during the next morning.



Some aggressive and undesirable interactions are not violent but are still not conducive to the development of a good relationship between the pets. You can learn to watch for subtle behaviors that can signal potential problems, should the recipient of the behaviors not be able to change the course of the interaction. In dogs these behaviors include piloerection (hair lifting on scruff, neck, or back), staring, snarling, and pouncing are also threats but are less intimidating to many animals than the display just described. If you believe that the new pet is losing the contest or is terrified, or is becoming so aggressive that it might injure the original pet, separate the animals.


Do not put your hands or other body parts between the animals. This is the single most common way in which people are injured by pets. Use cardboard, brooms, loud noises (whistles, foghorns), or water pistols to separate the animals. If you can identify the aggressor, banish that animal to neutral turf. If you cannot identify one aggressor, banish every animal to different pieces of neutral turf.

If the new pet is sitting in close proximity to the other pets and everything seems to be going well, tell all the animals that they are good and give them all small food treats and petting, if they like to be petted. This works best if you have two people so one can hold the new pet while the other deals with the other animals. If you are working with two people, switch roles so that the new pet does not associate its rewards with only one person. This can still be accomplished with one person by using leashes, harnesses, and crates. Leashes can be tied to furniture or doorknobs that are at a distance that will allow pets to sniff each other and react, but not so close as to permit them to lunge at and injure one another. Never leave a tied pet unsupervised even for a minute; it could strangle and die.

The entire time that you are doing this exercise - and it could take hours or weeks - make sure that each pet has 5 to 10 minutes alone with you each day when all you do is pay attention to that pet. This attention could be grooming, playing with a toy, or just petting and massage. Make sure that the pet is happy and relaxed at these times. If you know in advance that you are getting a new pet, you may want to establish these periods of individual attention in advance of the new arrival. If these periods follow a regular schedule, the pets will learn to anticipate them. It may decrease their anxiety about the new addition because they can rely on them.

Once you are able to get the pets to react to each other in a positive manner or not to react at all when restrained, remove the restraints. Be vigilant and keep a water pistol, foghorn, air canister, or whistle with you to interrupt any dangerous situations. If the animals are all behaving well, remember to reward them with praise and treats.

Once you have done the above, you are ready to let the animals out of your sight. Put a bell on the new animal by sewing a bell to its collar so that you always know where it is. This will allow you to spy on any potentially problematic interactions and to interrupt them before they create problems. During this period when you are beginning to provide the pets with free access, remember to provide additional water dishes, litter boxes, beds, and toys so that you minimize competition and the potential for aggressive interaction.

The keys to success are patience and observation. It is critical that the animals are not inadvertently encouraged to become hostile or nervous in each other's presence by well-meant but misplaced reassurance for inappropriate behaviors. Expect that the social system may shift. The dog that you always thought of as the "boss dog" may not only be relegated to a lower position, but may actually prefer that. Let the animals set their own pace. In many cases the pets never become close companions but are reasonably content leading separate lives under the same roof. This is far more preferable to frank aggression. Do not push the animals too hard or push for relationships they clearly do not want; this could backfire and you could undo most of the good behavior that you had achieved.

If the pets have lived in the same household but have begum to have some problems with interaction, the previously mentioned protocol can also help them. The pet that is the victim of the aggression should be fed, walked, and given attention before the aggressor. This reinforces its right to some valued status. If confinement of one pet becomes necessary, confine the aggressor to a neutral or lower quality room. Do not confine the aggressor where it would rather spend time; this only convinces the animal that the contest is meritorious. When you reintroduce the pets, do so gradually as described previously.

Move from introductions under controlled circumstances to ones in which the animals are being monitored from a distance. Let their behaviors tell you when you are ready to progress. Put a bell on the collar of the aggressor. At the first sign of any aggressive behavior, and definitely within 30 to 60 seconds of the onset of the behavioral progression, startle the aggressor with a foghorn, air canister, or water pistol. This means that you should not wait to startle the cat until is has pounced on the kitten, but that you startle it as soon as it stares at the kitten.

Timing is everything. The startle must be sufficient that the behavior is aborted but not so profound that the animal becomes terrified. At that time, reassure the victim, and after all animals have been calmed, engage them both in behaviors that are incompatible with aggression (i.e., feeding and petting). If the aggression persists, banish the aggressor until it is calm, and then try again. If the aggression continues, banish the aggressor until later in the day or the next morning.



If the aggression - either between new pets or pets already in the household - continues, you can try a behavior modification technique called "flooding." Done incorrectly this can be very traumatic and damaging. Consider consulting a behavioral specialist to see if this is necessary. It can be a wonderful last resort. In flooding, one animal is kept confined or otherwise restrained while in the presence of the other animal.

It is kept in that restrained or confined situation until the level of the inappropriate reaction diminishes by at least 50%. Obviously you could not keep an animal on a leash for days without respite, but an aggressive animal can be crated for an extended period with food, water, toys, a blanket, and a litterbox (if necessary) while the other animal is either locked in a room with it or placed in a similar cage facing the aggressor.

If one animal is loose, you should realize that it could injure the caged animal or be injured by sticking its paws through the crate. If the animals become more aggressive and upset, flooding does not work and is counter productive and should be stopped. Usually the effect is a positive one, and the crated aggressor realizes that the other animal also has a right to share the house. This technique is a last resort and should not be attempted without qualified advice.

Finally, pharmacological intervention may succeed where other therapies have failed. There are many newer anxiolytics available which, when prescribed by qualified individuals and used correctly, may be helpful adjuvants to behavioral and environmental modification. In very extreme cases of interanimal aggression in which all other therapies, including pharmacological, have failed, the best, kindest, and safest solution may be to place one of the animals in a new home.

The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin any course of treatment without consulting your regular veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every 12 months. Click Here.. For Over 1000 Natural Solutions To Heal Your Pet At Home! Natural remedies - So You Can Treat Your Pet At Home Without A Veterinarian!

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information About Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Food, Dog Health, Dog Health Care, Dog Grooming, Dog Treat, Potty Training, Puppy Training, Pet Health, Pet Grooming, Crate Training, Crate Training Puppy And Dog Care.. Free Recipes and Articles about everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://pet-services.eoltt.com